Every Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites the world to commemorate and celebrate the life of Jesus Christ.
Since 2016, the Light the World initiative invites all to follow the Savior’s example — and in 2017, Giving Machines became a part of this effort.
The customized red vending machines allow people to choose something to give to someone else in need — in their own neighborhood or around the world — through local and international nonprofit organizations.
A total of $10.4 million was donated at Giving Machines during the 2023 Christmas season — with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covering all operating costs.
Because of this effort, givers and receivers have been blessed.
“The miracle of the Giving Machine initiative is found in the lives of givers who become more Christlike and recipients who feel His love,” said Karl Cheney, program manager.
2023 Giving Machines donations by the numbers
Approximately 600,000 people visited Giving Machines in 2023.
Those donations included:
- 2,000,000 meals
- 660,000 vaccinations against polio, measles, rubella and other diseases
- 125,000 chickens
- 8,500 hygiene kits
- 12,500 beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets
- 11,000 backpacks of school supplies
- 7,700 newborn care supplies
- 2,000 school uniforms
- 1,800 community wells
- 1,100 job training or certifications
“Each number represents a person being fed, clothed, educated and trained,” Cheney said. “Hundreds of thousands of children will be vaccinated and sheltered, thousands of newborn babies will receive a healthier start, and countless women and men in every corner of the world will have their dignity restored.”
Mary Concepter Obiero with Church World Service Africa, a faith-based organization that helps those who suffer from hunger, poverty and displacement around the world, has seen the impact of Giving Machines donations firsthand in several African countries.
“I’ve not only seen it, I’ve felt it,” she said. “When I give a woman a hug who has received chickens or pigs, I feel her heart. This has changed her life.”
Where were the Giving Machines in 2023?
With increased locations, more people than ever have had the opportunity to donate at the machines and therefore help someone in need.
The 2023 Light the World Giving Machines were at 61 locations across seven countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, New Zealand and Australia.
This is an increase from 2022, when machines were located in 28 locations across six countries.
On many of the Giving Machines’ social media channels, stories were shared of families, friends, co-workers and individuals visiting the different locations and finding joy in donating. Others spoke of the gratitude they felt for their volunteer shifts as the machines came to their city.
Who were the nonprofits for the 2023 Giving Machines?
Around 250 local and global nonprofit organizations are participating in the Giving Machines this year — more than all previous years combined. The global charities in 2023 were:
- African Girls Hope Foundation
- American Red Cross
- Care USA
- Care Canada
- Church World Service
- International Development Enterprises
- Lifting Hands International
- Mentors International
- UNICEF Australia
- UNICEF Canada
- UNICEF USA
- WaterAid
What is the impact of the Giving Machines over the years?
Since 2017, more than $32 million has been donated, and more than 2 million people have visited Giving Machines.
Participating nonprofit organizations received 100% of the contributions, helping millions of people in need worldwide.
The Church told the story of where Giving Machines donations go — and how they help people in need around the world — through a series of videos called “A Giving Machine Story.”
These videos were filmed in Mexico, Jordan, Ukraine and Kenya and show how children, families and individuals were blessed by the donations of chickens, goats, seeds, mentorships, tuition fees and other donations.
They can be viewed at GivingMachine.org or on the Church’s Come Unto Christ YouTube channel.
“Every recipient of Giving Machine funds is positively impacted in ways far beyond what appears on the surface. Countless future generations will benefit from the great good being done today,” Cheney said.
